While chain food retailers such as Kroger, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P), Piggly Wiggly, and American Stores had a strong foothold in many regions of the United States by the early 1920s, the old mom and pop grocers were still plentiful serving both small and large communities alike. Originally, these grocers sold what was referred to as “dry goods”, which were made up of canned foods and other non-perishable staples, with meat and produce sold by separate venders. However, this began to change by the early 1940s as food merchants consolidated vendors so all products could be sold under one roof for the sake of convenience. Some of the first grocers to implement these early “supermarkets” were the mom and pop stores as represented by our Garner’s Market kit.

Started in 1918 by the Garner brothers of St. Louis, Missouri, the two-story frame structure lasted as a grocery store until the late 1950s when the big chain retailers finally did in the family run business. Inside, during its heyday, shoppers found a butcher to custom cut their meats, delicious breads and cakes in the bakery, and a full selection of fresh fruits and vegetables along with the usual dry goods. This is all reflected in our kit too with its many colorful advertising signs, large billboard, and produce crates positioned right out in front on the sidewalk inviting the residents of your HO scale community to take a look inside.

Kit #189 features 100% laser-cut components, Tab & Slot and Peel & Stick construction, a detailed external stairway to the second floor, interior floors and wall partitions, a free standing billboard that may be positioned on the roof as shown or beside the building, laser-scribed and cut sidewalk, numerous resin and white metal detail parts, printed window shades, laser-cut curtains, and laser-cut window awnings. Assembled structure (without sidewalk) measures 7.25 “ long x 3.75” wide x 3.25” high.